If you are like many people, the scent, packaging and effectiveness of a shampoo determines whether you add it to your shopping cart. What you may not realize is that danger may be inside your favorite brand of shampoo. Chemicals added to shampoos improve lather and step up the cleaning process. Unfortunately, the very chemicals that make your shampoo perform the way you like may also be leaching into your skin. A quick check of the package labeling of some shampoos can reveal a host of chemicals, from carcinogens to skin irritants.
Formaldehyde and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Formaldehyde, a suspected human carcinogen found in various brands of shampoos, can cause headaches and respiratory problems. Formaldehyde may also cause damage to the DNA in some individuals. MIT, which is a biocide, also ends up on the ingredient list of some shampoos, according to the Organic Consumers Association. MIT can damage the nervous system and inhibit the growth and development of specialized neuron extensions, which are responsible for cell communication.
Phthalates and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Phthalates are industrial compounds found in shampoos that enter the body through the skin and wreak havoc on the endocrine system. In fact, phthalates are associated with male obesity, insulin resistance and reduced sperm production. Sodium lauryl sulfate, another bad shampoo ingredient, creates lather. It also cleans car engines. Northwestern Health Sciences University explains that sodium lauryl sulfate, found in some shampoo formulas, may actually alter your skin's structure, allowing for deeper chemical penetration. Deep penetration makes it easier for dangerous chemicals to enter your blood stream.
Triclosan and Paraphenylenediamine
The University of Vermont lists triclosan as an antibacterial found in shampoos that interferes with normal bacterial levels in the body with continued use. Dilution in water can cause triclosan to mutate into a form of dioxin. Paraphenylenediamine, or 1,4-diaminobenzene, is a contact allergen that is often used in the manufacture of black hair dyes and shampoos.
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